Greatest Hits

by The Offspring

Overview

Apparently the Offspring could keep 'em separated no longer. Greatest Hits gathers every one of the band's modern rock radio warhorses into one place. It also tacks on a new song called "Can't Repeat," which despite its name is a repeat of the 1998 single "Kids Aren't Alright." After the new opener the set moves chronologically, so its songs are like bullet points on a time line of radio and MTV in the 1990s. The breakthrough Smash hits start it out: the surf guitar wrangle "Come Out and Play," the Nirvana-baiting of "Self Esteem," and "Gotta Get Away." "All I Want" from 1997's Ixnay on the Hombre is next, and then it's the sluggish, echoing arena punk of "Gone Away." ("And it FEELS! And it FEELS LIKE! Heaven's so far away!") With that comes the switch, when Offspring tailed away from punk relativism into hyper, referential snark. "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" and "Why Don't You Get a Job?" get points for anticipating U.S. pop culture's slide into reality TV madness and unsafe I Want a Famous Face-style obsessions -- they have the shouty sheen of a daytime talk show and revel in empty trends and opportunism. As actual songs they're somewhat gimmicky, but in a greatest-hits context they're noteworthy snapshots. The swaggering guitars, Latin inflections, and references to Prozac and Chino make 2000's "Conspiracy of One" Los Angeles product, and Offspring fans will note the inclusion of 2001's "Defy You," originally part of the Orange County soundtrack. Greatest Hits ends with two tracks from 2003's Splinter, and "Hit That"'s boppy baby daddy drama combines the Offspring's smart alecky cultural cynicism with a raucous distortion chorus. ~ Johnny Loftus

Product Details

Release Date:	07/29/2022
Label:	Round Hill
UPC:	0602445032693

Tracks

1. Can't Repeat
2. Come Out and Play
3. Self Esteem
4. Gotta Get Away
5. All I Want
6. Gone Away
7. Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)
8. Why Don't You Get a Job
9. The Kids Aren't Alright
10. Original Prankster
11. Want You Bad
12. Defy You
13. Hit That
14. (Can't Get My) Head Around You

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Offspring   Primary Artist
Redman   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Josh Freese   Guest Artist,Drums
Def Leppard   Guest Artist
Jack Grisham   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Greg K.   Bass
Phil Jordan   Horn
Ron Welty   Drums
Davey Havok   Vocals
Gabrial McNair   Horn
Dexter Holland   Vocals
Ronnie King   Keyboards
Jim Lindberg   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Heidi Villagran   Vocals
Jason Blackball McLean   Vocals
Nika Futterman Frost   Vocals
Derrick Davis   Flute
Gabe McNair   Horn

Technical Credits

Ken Paulakovich   Engineer
Billy Bowers   Engineer
Joe McGrath   Engineer
Chris Higgins   Engineer
Jerry Finn   Mixing,Producer
Nick DiDia   Engineer
The Offspring   Composer
Thom Wilson   Engineer,Producer
Brendan O'Brien   Mixing,Producer
Sting   Composer
Eddy Schreyer   Mastering
Brian "Big Bass" Gardner   Mastering
Dave Jerden   Mixing,Producer
Seth Waldman   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Karl Egsieker   Engineer
Bryan Carlstrom   Engineer
Alan Forbes   Illustrations
Storm Thorgerson   Art Direction
Frank Kozik   Illustrations
Christian Lantry   Photography
Sean Evans   Art Direction
Fred Hidalgo   Art Direction
Bryan Keith Holland   Composer